2024 IPMS Nats in Madison WI

The 2024 Nationals in Madison will be held on July 17 - 20.  I live only 80 minutes away and can't wait for July to arrive.

I ought to be taking a 2 week vacation in WI next July for IPMS Nats and two days later Airventure 2024 in Oshkosh with some fishing thrown in for good measure. 

I have to wonder if the modeling hobby would benefit from coordinated events like that? 

Indy 500/IPMS Nats. 

Las Vegas Air Races/IPMS Nats.

Daytona 500/IPMS Nats. 

Airventure/IPMS Nats.

Gen Con/IPMS Nats.

Comanche pilot,

you won't be disappointed by the EAA.  I live just a few miles from the convention center and it's AWESOME hearing those warbirds fly overhead during that week. The city of Oshkosh rolls out the "red carpet" for the EAA visitors!  I just wish that the nationals would've aligned their dates to coincide with the EAA so that families could make a day trip up to Oshkosh(80 minutes) with their families instead of having to wait until the next week. 

Comanche pilot

I ought to be taking a 2 week vacation in WI next July for IPMS Nats and two days later Airventure 2024 in Oshkosh with some fishing thrown in for good measure. 

I have to wonder if the modeling hobby would benefit from coordinated events like that? 

Indy 500/IPMS Nats. 

Las Vegas Air Races/IPMS Nats.

Daytona 500/IPMS Nats. 

Airventure/IPMS Nats.

Gen Con/IPMS Nats.

 

IPMS rules mandate that the show be held in July or August, in order to maximize out-of-school family vacation time.   Even this year's early August date drew complaints from some that school was beginning the following Monday.  

Memorial Day/Indianapolis 500:  out of window

Vegas Air Races: September - out of window

Daytona 500 : February - out of window

Oshkosh & GenGon gamer shows do appear to be in the window, but IPMS presents a too small room-night count (approx. 1200) for the space required (50 to 80 Ksqft).  Catering is usually a requirement.  Costs would be exorbitant.   

IPMS is too large for most affordable markets (mid-to-low tier markets) and too small for top-tier markets.   You also need a local presence to provide manpower, not just on the show days, but for the two years it takes to prepare.

Sounds good, I will have to make an effort to go at least 1 day...even though I avoid Madison like like the plague, I can make an exception for this once in a life event to have it within a 50 minute drive.

   That is kind of a bummer about the size and co-ordination required. Spokane Wa. has approx 500k in the region, my club has about 60members on paper 15-20 per monthly meeting, not nearly enough man power to do the leg work. We have a massive convention center, a modern sports covered/climate controlled arena, heck even our fair grounds would be a great place, lots of parking, fairly easy access.

      Sadly our club here isn't big enough, the club on the wet side shows no support for any of our events, so combining club strength ain't gonna happen.

      I'm gonna try hard to make Madison, may have to compromise my health a bit but no one lives forever....in this plane anyway.

Glamdring, if you don't mind my asking where do you live if you're only 50 minutes away?  I'm up in Oshkosh which is about 80 minutes away.  We should make plans to round up guys from this forum who make the trek to Madison.

MR TOM SCHRY

Glamdring, if you don't mind my asking where do you live if you're only 50 minutes away?  I'm up in Oshkosh which is about 80 minutes away.  We should make plans to round up guys from this forum who make the trek to Madison.

 

I am in northwestern Waukesha County, in the Hartland area.  I don't recall much the exact layout of Madison, but it is just due west on 94 for us to get there.

I Imagine parking is going to be a nightmare and expensive unless you're staying at the hotel.  I was hoping to commute down for the event.

MR TOM SCHRY

I Imagine parking is going to be a nightmare and expensive unless you're staying at the hotel.  I was hoping to commute down for the event.

 

Complaints about the price of parking really bother me. Here is why.

It is not cheap to attend the nationals. The cost of parking is so little compared to the cost of the show.

I did some searching. Parking at the event appears to be $18 for the day. BUT There is parking across the street for $12 per day, and 3-4 blocks away you can park for $5 per day.

But if those prices really bother you, park outside of downtown and then have someone that is paying for parking or staying at the hotel come pick you up. Or park somewhere for free and Uber to the show.

This is why it bothers me that people complain about parking.......
IPMS membership - $35
Cost to enter the nationals - $65
There is an additional fee to sit in the room and watch the awards ceremony live.
Hotel - $180 per night
Plus travel costs.

Plus the hundreds of dollars many of you spend on stuff.

But then you complain about the cost of parking. 

I'm 3,000 miles away ....... so it won't cost me everything.